Informed consent--survey of Auckland, N.Z. anaesthetists' practice and attitudes.
Auckland anaesthetists were surveyed. Of these, 68% obtain written informed consent, 67% are familiar with the New Zealand Medical Council's statement on informed consent, and 57% believe that they conform with this statement in their practice. 4% of anaesthetists always warn their patients of the possibility of death, 9% never do. 87% warn of minor complications such as vomiting, 28% warn of possible awareness, 27% of possible paralysis with spinal or epidural. 83% felt that some form of risk-disclosing anaesthetic information leaflet would be of value for elective patients. After perusing a proposed information leaflet, 40% answered "yes" they would be happy for it to be combined with the non-risk-specific anaesthetic information currently given to patients, 23% answered "yes, with reservations", 18% answered "yes, if modified first", 13% "no, only if the patient asks to know more about risks,", and 5% "no, not to any patient".
Chapman
I H
IH
Department of Anaesthesia, Auckland Children's Hospital, New Zealand.
D000776:Anesthesiology; D030881:Disclosure; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D016743:Mental Competency; D009520:New Zealand; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires